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Real Madrid-Inter Milan: a great rivalry which goes back 57 years

Real Madrid and Inter first crossed paths in the 1963-64 European Cup final. The 17 meetings since then have produced countless stories.

Manu de Juan

Madrid Update: Sep 13th, 2021 10:34 EDT

Inter Milan and Real Madrid come face to face once again on 15 September in Matchday 1 of the 2021/22 Champions League. It will be the 18th meeting between the two clubs and the latest installment in one of the oldest rivalries in continental football. Th — The final in ViennaPHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASInter Milan and Real Madrid come face to face once again on 15 September in Matchday 1 of the 2021/22 Champions League. It will be the 18th meeting between the two clubs and the latest installment in one of the oldest rivalries in continental football. Th

Felo pictured here firing in acrobatically to pull a goal back for Madrid to make it 2-1. Prior to that, Mazzola and Milani had scored for Inter; that triumph kickstarted their dominance in Europe under the guidance of Helenio Herrera, who perfected the d — Inter make their mark in EuropePHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASFelo pictured here firing in acrobatically to pull a goal back for Madrid to make it 2-1. Prior to that, Mazzola and Milani had scored for Inter; that triumph kickstarted their dominance in Europe under the guidance of Helenio Herrera, who perfected the d

That defeat in Vienna was significant in that it was also Alfredo di Stéfano’s last game for Real Madrid. The Argentine legend had already had a few run-ins with coach Miguel Muñoz, and a report was submitted to Bernabéu ahead of the 1963-64 campaign, not — Di Stéfano’s last gamePHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASThat defeat in Vienna was significant in that it was also Alfredo di Stéfano’s last game for Real Madrid. The Argentine legend had already had a few run-ins with coach Miguel Muñoz, and a report was submitted to Bernabéu ahead of the 1963-64 campaign, not

Two years after the final in Vienna, Madrid and Inter were back facing each other again in the European Cup - this time in the semi-final with Helenio Herrera’s side looking to make the final for the third year running. But that Madrid side, known as the — Pirri puts Madrid on course for sixth titlePHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASTwo years after the final in Vienna, Madrid and Inter were back facing each other again in the European Cup - this time in the semi-final with Helenio Herrera’s side looking to make the final for the third year running. But that Madrid side, known as the

Inter didn’t have to wait long to avenge their disappointment from 1966; in the following edition, 1966-67, they beat Madrid home and away - winning 0-2 at the Bernabéu and 1-0 at San Siro. That was followed by a period when the two clubs managed to avoid — En route to ParisPHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASInter didn’t have to wait long to avenge their disappointment from 1966; in the following edition, 1966-67, they beat Madrid home and away - winning 0-2 at the Bernabéu and 1-0 at San Siro. That was followed by a period when the two clubs managed to avoid

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Real Madrid and Inter have met in various different competitions over the years: 11 times in the European Cup, four times in the UEFA Cup and twice in the European Cup Winners’ Cup; this image is from the latter - the quarter finals which Madrid came thro — Enemies who know each other inside outPHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASReal Madrid and Inter have met in various different competitions over the years: 11 times in the European Cup, four times in the UEFA Cup and twice in the European Cup Winners’ Cup; this image is from the latter - the quarter finals which Madrid came thro

In the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, Real Madrid won two UEFA Cups which, when looking at the teams they faced in the final (Videoton and Cologne), might not seem that impressive; but they had a number of obstacles to get over on the way to the title - inc — Madrid's historic comebacksPHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASIn the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, Real Madrid won two UEFA Cups which, when looking at the teams they faced in the final (Videoton and Cologne), might not seem that impressive; but they had a number of obstacles to get over on the way to the title - inc

Carlos Alonso González, known as Santillana in of his hometown (Santillana del Mar, Cantabria), deserves a special place in Inter and Madrid’s shared history. The Italians suffered at the hands of several Madrid players during the 80s - Juanito, Butragueñ — Santillana, nightmare for InterPHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASCarlos Alonso González, known as Santillana in of his hometown (Santillana del Mar, Cantabria), deserves a special place in Inter and Madrid’s shared history. The Italians suffered at the hands of several Madrid players during the 80s - Juanito, Butragueñ

There was a lull in meetings between Inter and Madrid - 12 years passed without a game between the two until they were drawn in the same group in the 1998-99 Champions League. There was less at stake than in previous encounters but nevertheless, expectati — Age not an issue for BaggioPHOTO: STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERSThere was a lull in meetings between Inter and Madrid - 12 years passed without a game between the two until they were drawn in the same group in the 1998-99 Champions League. There was less at stake than in previous encounters but nevertheless, expectati

Relationships between Madrid and Inter took a turn after the events of the summer of 2002, when Ronaldo was voted the best player of the Japan/Korea World Cup. Not long after he had lifted the trophy he sent a message in Madrid’s direction: "If they want — Nerves on deadline dayPHOTO: STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERSRelationships between Madrid and Inter took a turn after the events of the summer of 2002, when Ronaldo was voted the best player of the Japan/Korea World Cup. Not long after he had lifted the trophy he sent a message in Madrid’s direction: "If they want

The most recent meeting between the two clubs came last season in the Champions League group stage. Madrid endured a tough time qualifying for the Last 16, but not for their performances against Inter. They won 3-2 in Valdebebas (with goals from Benzema, — Madrid take San SiroPHOTO: MIGUEL MEDINA / AFPThe most recent meeting between the two clubs came last season in the Champions League group stage. Madrid endured a tough time qualifying for the Last 16, but not for their performances against Inter. They won 3-2 in Valdebebas (with goals from Benzema,

Ronaldo’s transfer between the two clubs was the most talked about but that wasn’t the only case of players moving between Inter and Madrid. Roberto Carlos, arrived in Spain direct from San Siro in 1996. At Inter, they never really got to see his incredib — Roberto Carlos, bargain signingPHOTO: DIARIO AS / DIARIO ASRonaldo’s transfer between the two clubs was the most talked about but that wasn’t the only case of players moving between Inter and Madrid. Roberto Carlos, arrived in Spain direct from San Siro in 1996. At Inter, they never really got to see his incredib

And San Siro... Inter’s stadium was always a tricky ground for Real Madrid, but that has changed in recent years - to the point where it witnessed one of the club’s most historic nights. Madrid did not win any of their first seven visits to the Giuseppe M — Number 11, against Atleti in MilanPHOTO: Stefano Rellandini / REUTERSAnd San Siro... Inter’s stadium was always a tricky ground for Real Madrid, but that has changed in recent years - to the point where it witnessed one of the club’s most historic nights. Madrid did not win any of their first seven visits to the Giuseppe M

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